India lost skipper Rohit Sharma for a nine-ball duck, before Yashasvi Jaiswal (six not out) and Shubman Gill (ten not out) took the hosts to 16/1 and trail New Zealand by 243 runs at stumps on day one of the second Test at the MCA Stadium here on Thursday.
Earlier off-spinner Washington Sundar vindicated his inclusion in the playing eleven at the cost of Kuldeep Yadav as he bagged career-best figures of 7-59 from his 23.1 overs as New Zealand were bowled out for 259.
New Zealand batted first and at one stage were 197 for three, seeming to cross over to 300. But Washington showed an exhibition of drift and dip, while varying his pace well and turned the game on its head for India and kept New Zealand to one below 260.
His fellow Chennaiite, senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 3-64 as the innings marked the first-ever instance of all ten wickets taken by India's right-arm off-spinners in a Test match.
After the tea break, Washington requested a viewing which proved smart as it emerged that a sharp turning delivery had rapped Daryl Mitchell on the pads. Replays showed the ball going on to clip leg-stump. Mitchell Santner went for the big shots, hitting five boundaries, but Washington continued to hurt New Zealand.
Which also allowed Glenn Phillips the chance to hole out to long-off off him, while Tim Southee and Ajaz Patel were castled by the young all-rounder, and Washington wrapped up New Zealand's innings in style by rattling Santner with grip and turn to take out the off-stump, as the visitors saw their last seven wickets go for 62 runs.
In response, India couldn't have a better start too as Rohit played for one delivery from Southee, which nipped off the seam, but it went past the edge to hit the top of off-stump. Left-arm spinners Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner did get some help to create jeopardy in the minds of Jaiswal and Gill, but the duo ensured there wasn't any more loss of wickets till stumps arrived.
Brief Scores: New Zealand 259 in 79.1 overs (Devon Conway 76, Rachin Ravindra 66; Washington Sundar 7-59, Ravichandran Ashwin 3-64) trail India 16/1 in 11 overs (Shubman Gill 10 not out; Tim Southee 1-4) by 243 runs.
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